Match report Winchester RFC 3XV 20-20 Ventnor RFC 1XV 14 February 2026

Match report Winchester Rugby Club 3XV 20-20 Ventnor Rugby Club 1XV, Saturday 14 February 2026

Counties 3 Hampshire, Saturday 14 February 2026

Ventnor travelled to Winchester RFC after three away losses determined to set the record straight.

They were hampered by some injuries not least to their skipper Lewy Morton with a hamstring niggle so that Jewy Jones took over as captain. Ventnor started brightly and – as ever – their set piece was exemplary with Jack Rushton, Jones and Dan Lythgoe putting in another massive shift.

Joe Coghlan was excellent in the line out and was after his catch and drive that Harvey Wheeler set off on a mazy run and offloaded to Will Broomfield who passed to Alec Bulpitt who scored in the right corner. 0-5.

Ventnor were in the ascendancy and whenever they got the ball wide they looked dangerous but they lost Tom Scadden with a knee injury which removed some of their guile in midfield. Winchester relied heavily on their long-kicking flyhalf who pinned back the Islanders whenever they infringed and it was from a close-in lineout that the home team were able to maul over for a converted try. 7-5.

This was a tactic that would reoccur more than once and Ventnor did well to repel further mauls through the hard work of Cody Hayman, Jason Coltham and Jack Gilbey.

Indeed, it was Ventnor who struck next when a tough mid-pitch battle led to a clumsy Winchester ruck from which the live-wire Coghlan was able to pick up and race in for a try which Josh Ford converted. 7-12. Half time.

Match report Winchester RFC 3XV 20-20 Ventnor RFC 1XV 14 February 2026

If the first half belonged to Ventnor, the second was surely Winchester’s as they scored another line-out maul try to retake the lead 15-12 before kicking a penalty after a Ventnor high tackle.

However, the visitors had their moments and a clean line-out catch from Coghlan and slick hands from Harvey Wheeler gave Ford the chance to dive over.

Again the lead changed 15-17. Ventnor were beginning to struggle with injuries to the influential Luke Butler and Hayman and the home team scored again after yet another sapping maul gave them the overlap despite strong defence by Max Wheeler, Hayden Lythgoe and Ben Souter. 20-17.

Jones was shown the yellow card for collapsing a maul and things looked grim for the Islanders.

However, they rolled their sleeves up for one long attack with Charlie Magnurson to the fore, they played multi-phase rugby before the referee blew for a penalty.

With Jones off and several players limping, Ford took the option of the kick which sailed between the posts to draw the game 20-20 after a demonstration of obdurate character and spirit.

Ventnor’s Lythgoe brothers - Dan and Hayden - leave the field at Winchester. 140226 photo by Lewy Morton — Ventnor’s Lythgoe brothers – Dan and Hayden – leave the field at Winchester. 140226 photo by Lewy Morton

Image: Lewy Morton

Ventnor and Winchester after their 20-20 draw 140226 photo by Lewy Morton

Image: Lewy Morton

Ventnor Rugby Club 1XV Team, 14 February 2026:

Team: Rushton, Jones (capt), D.Lythgoe, Broomfield, Coltham, Hayman, Coghlan, H.Wheeler, Ford, Butler, H.Lythgoe, M.Wheeler, Scadden, Bulpitt, Souter. Subs: Gilbey, C.Magnurson, L.Morton

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The A J Wells Man of the Man – Harvey Wheeler
The Red Funnel Moment of the Match – Lewis Jones
The Howden Insurance Supporter of the Day: Andy Wall

Coaches: Damien Marriott, Clive Cardwell-Hill, Todd Riches and Andy Teague
Physio: Zoe Jones

Ventnor 1st XV remain at top of Counties 3 Hampshire league 2025-26 league table with an extended lead of 6 points after eleven games (as at 14-02-2026)

The two points for the draw mean that Ventnor 1XV slightly extend their lead above Tottonians RFC to six points – but the Tottonians have a game in hand.

Ventnor RFC 1XV – played 11, won 7, drawn 1, lost 3, points 40

Tottonians RFC 2XV – played 10, won 7, lost 3. points 34

Isle of Wight RFC – played 11, won 5, lost 6, points 31

Match report: James Morton

Next Saturday Ventnor 1sts have a week off while Ventnor 2nds are away again, this time to Fareham Heathens RFC 2XV

Best Regards

James

JAMES MORTON
Chairman Ventnor RFC
T: 07901 938 317

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